Picture frame



June 10 1924.

E. F. L. FRITZ PICTURE FRAME Filed May 5, 1923 2 Sheets$heot 1 Wine 535s? June 10 1924.

E- F. L. FRITZ PICTURE FRAME Filed May 5, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 10, 1924.

-rrsn STATES PATENT PICTURE FRAME.

Application filed May 5,

To all whom 2'25 may concern:

Be it known that I, E F Lewis FRITZ, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Michigan City, county of Laporte, and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Picture Frames, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to picture frames, and more particularly to frames for mounting photographs and the like.

The object of this invention is toprovide a simple and efiicient construction affording quick insertion and removal of a picture,

' such as a photograph, and which construc tion will retain the picture firmly in dustproof position.

Another object is to provide durable and inexpensive means for supporting the frame with the picture either in a standing. or hanging position.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which- Fig. 1 is a rear elevational view of a picture frame embodying th features of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 shows a detailed sectional View taken through the hinge. along line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. at is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 4--4; of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional View through the frame, looking forward along the line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

The form of my invention illustrated comprises a main frame or frame member having flanges 11 extending rearwardly around its edges, and having portions 12 cut out from its face plate 13 and bent backward thereon forming a sight opening 14 for viewing the picture mounted in the frame. The extreme edges of said portions 12 are bent inward forming retaining lips 15 for holding a border member 16 of felt or similar fibrous or depressible material in position. Said border member 1.6 may 1923. Serial No. 636,795.

be held securely fastened on the frame by the use of adhesive material if desired. Said member 16 extends rearwardly beyond the lips 15 and a glass plate or similar transparent member 17 is mounted firmly against said depressible border member, the member 16 being sufliciently thick to prevent the plate 17from engaging the metal lips 15 or being injured thereby and will also prevent 'dust from entering between said depressible member and glass plate.

A backing member 18 is provided with flanges 19 extending rearwardly around its edges which. fit closely within flanges 11 of the main member 10. Hinges 20 hold said. backing member swingably or releasably on the frame member and co-operating depressions 21 and 22 are provided on the flanges 11 and 19 respectively for holding the backing member firmly in position in the frame member and for holding a picture 23 firmly in position between said backing member and the glass plate 17 The flanges 11 and 19 fit closely together and the locking depressions 21 and 22 are so arranged as to hold the backing member 18 firmly in position and pressing the picture 23 against the plate 17, thereby preventing dust from entering the frame and getting between the picture and the glass plate, the yielding material of the depressible border 16 permitting such firm dustproof connection.

Means is provided in the form of a curved rod 24 having its ends 25 bent over and pivotally engaging in ears 26 provided on the flanges 19, andhaving a loop 27 formed at its middle portion, by means of which the frame is supported either in its standing position or in a suspended position, the loop 27 being provided with an indentation 28 for properly centering the device when it is suspended from a hook or the like.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying my invention into effect, this is capable of variation and modification with out departing from the spirit of the invention. I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described my invention, what I ing flanges around its edges which fit tightly and dustproof in said frame flanges, and depressed portions on both sets of flanges for holdin said member in position. to retain a picture dustproof in said frame.

2. A picture frame having portions cut from its front and doubled over rearwardly and having retaining lips formed on the edges, a felt borde-rmounted in said retaining lips and extending rearwardly. therefrom, a glass plate mounted at therea-r of said felt border and-out of contact with said lips, and a. backing member mounted in the rear of said frame for holdinga picture pressed against said glass plate.

3. A picture frame comprising reaiavardly extending outer flanges, a transparent member mounted in said frame, a backing member with flanges mounted dust proof within said frame flanges, and a curved member having its ends bent and pivoted in lips provided on said member flanges and having a cross bar with a loop at its center for supporting the frame in either a suspended or in a standing position. a

l. A picture frame comprising a sheet of metal having its outer edges bent back form 'ing rear flanges, said frame also having portions cut out from the front and bent back upon said front then bent inwardly forming retaining elements, a border of fibrous depressible material mounted in said retaining elements, and readily releasable means mounted in said flanges for depress ing said fibrous material and holding a picture firmly in dust-proof position in said rear flanges, andhaving portions cut out from the front and bent back upon said front then bent mwardly forming retaining lips, a felt border mounted in said lips and extendingrearwardly therefrom, said back 'Wardly bent portions and said felt border providing a sight opening for viewing a picture mounted to the rear thereof, and means fo-ir holding a picturein position in said frame; p

6. A picture frame'comprising a member constructed from sheet metal having its edges bent back forming rearwardly extending flanges, and having portions cut from its face and bent back forming retaining lips, a border member of depressible material mounted in said retaining lips, a glass plate mounted against the rear of said border member, a backing plate hinged to said frame and having flanges engagingclosely in said frame flanges, depressed portions on both sets of flanges for holding a picture tightly in position between said glass plate and backing plate, and a looped member pivoted to the flanges of said backing plate for supporting said frame in either a suspended or a standing posit-ion.

In testimony whereo-fl' have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

F. LEWIS FRITZ.

iVitnesses MARGARET AUER, CLARENCE E. THEEDER.

iii 

